Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication due to their ability to transfer bioactive lipids, proteins and different species of RNA into cells. Thus, EVs hold therapeutic potential in their own right and can additionally be harnessed for the delivery of macromolecular drugs. Adapting EVs for drug delivery requires cellular engineering that allows for selective loading of biotherapeutics inside or on the surface of EVs. This presentation will cover our recent developments in EV engineering and production as well as strategies for their purification and characterization. In addition to addressing PK and PD of EVs in normal and diseased mice, strategies to enhance tissue targeting and functional delivery of different proteins and RNAs will be described. Finally, the concept of displaying decoy receptors that act as extracellular scavengers to treat systemic inflammation in rodents will be described in greater detail.